I've got a black female mixed-breed shorthair 6yo, indoor only, that
I've had since she was just about six weeks old.  For the last handful
of months - starting about the time I moved, actually - she's been
slowly but gradually overgrooming a few spots on her body.
(Specifically, the inside of her back legs and lower tummy, and now
starting on the inside-elbow of the front legs.)  I've done some
searches on the older posts in this newsgroup, and most advice pointed
to either stress or skin problems.  So far, her skin has looked clean
and healthy - taking on a slight pink tinge when she gets too vigorous,
but no other indication.

    My thoughts, given the timing, would be to blame some combination of
stress, boredom, and separation anxiety.  Late last summer, I moved
(cross-country) from a monstrous first-floor apartment (surrounded by
bushes and trees) to a much smaller third-floor apartment with some
windows but not much view.  Additionally, I have a much longer commute
and a fairly long work-day, so I'm gone more of the day than I used to
be and my evenings are therefore shorter and busier.  I give her as much
attention as possible when I get home, but I know she's used to having
more time with me (and more space, and more things to do) than she's
getting now.

    She's shown no other behavioral changes in that time, other than a
penchant for _very infrequently_ clawing the carpet to get attention.
(Carpet's a novelty for her, since up until now she's known only tile
and hardwood - but mostly, she's a good girl and sticks to the approved
scratching post.)  She's at the door when I come home, eager to see me
and get some affection, and is nearly always on my lap or in the same
room with me throughout the evening.

    Thoughts, other than "spend more time at home with kitty?"  :)  Given
her age, I'd think a playmate is likely out of the question - a much
earlier attempt to add another cat to the household (when she was about
a year old) was quite disastrous, so I'd _hate_ to think of what she'd
be like now.  Some posters suggested videos or music - she ignores TV,
and audible music seems to upset her notion of propriety (she wails
until it's shut off).  Anyone else face such a situation and figure out
a good solution?